Multi-purpose Pouch

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose device that can function as both a storage pouch for coins, or other material, and a personal defense weapon. The device includes a pouch that is connected to a handle by at least one flexible member. The device can be folded along the flexible member and securely stored around the belt of a user by connecting the pouch to the handle. The user can quickly disconnect the handle from the pouch and remove the device from their belt. In its open configuration, the user can either (i) access the pouch to store or remove material by opening the zipper closure; or (ii) use the device as a self-defense weapon by gripping the device at the handle and using the movement of their arm or wrist to project the weighted pouch at a person or object.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.62/430,802 filed Dec. 6, 2016. The entire contents of the aboveapplication are hereby incorporated by reference as though fully setforth herein.

FIELD

The present invention relates generally to a means for holding coins orother small items of a personal capacity within a pouch. Morespecifically, the present invention relates to a multi-purpose pouch forholding coins or other small items that may also be used as a manualweapon for defense purposes.

BACKGROUND

It is useful to provide a carrying pouch which can provide easy accessto coins and tokens. There are a large variety of coin purses, and thelike, upon the market. However, none are adapted to a multi-purpose usespecifically as a manual weapon for defense purposes.

Since the beginning of time, people have used a variety of self-defensetools. This has led to a variety of creative weapon choices. Personaldefense weapons come in many shapes and sizes. In fact, just aboutanything used to defend oneself could be considered a self-defenseweapon. Traditionally, most hand held leather weapon-like devicesinclude a hand strap and “slapper” area filled with lead or other heavymaterial that are made using pure leather and a reinforced steel liningalong the hand strap. These types of devices are not able to be foldedand are therefore more difficult to conceal and/or wear on the user'sbody. These devices often have reinforcement along the handle, such assteel, thereby adding to the cost and difficulty of production of thedevice. As such, it would be useful to have a coin purse that is easy toconstruct, uses relatively inexpensive materials, and can be worn on theuser such that it is not obvious it is a potential self-defense weapon.This type of device would be particularly useful in locations where itis not practical or it is prohibited to carry other known self-defenseitems, such as a knife or a gun

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is the object of the present invention to address several challengesin previous attempts to develop an inexpensive dual-purpose pouch thatis quickly accessible and functions both as a coin purse and, whennecessary, a self-defense weapon.

In a preferred embodiment, the device includes a pouch for storing coinsor other material and a handle that extends longitudinally from thepouch and is connected by a flexible stem, giving the pouch an overallpaddle-like shape when configured in an open position. While in the openposition, the user can access the pouch by opening the zipper closure.When finished, the device can be closed and secured around the belt ofthe user by folding the device along the flexible stem over the belt andconnecting the handle to the pouch.

In another preferred embodiment, the device is similarly configured suchthat the pouch and the handle are connected by a plurality of flexiblemembers, but in this embodiment, there is an enclosed space between thehandle and the pouch, which allows the user to slide his fingers aroundthe handle to create a secure hold. Similar to the other embodiment, thedevice can be folded along the flexible members over a user's belt andsecured by connecting the handle to the pouch.

Aside from storing coins or other weighted material, another purpose ofthe device is that it can be used as a personal defense weapon. Bothembodiments allow the user to quickly remove the device from a user'sbelt by manually disengaging the handle from the pouch. When in the openposition, the user can grip the device at that handle and use themovement of their arm or wrist to project the weighted pouch at a personor object. The flexibility of the members connecting the pouch to thehandle create a “whip like” action of the pouch that can be used toinflict severe harm against a person or object.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top view of the zipper closure along the interior wall ofthe first embodiment of the present invention in the non-foldedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the exterior wall of the first embodiment of thepresent invention in the non-folded configuration.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the first embodiment of the present inventionin the folded configuration.

FIG. 4 is a font view of the first embodiment of the present inventionfolded along the belt of a user.

FIG. 5 is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention inthe unfolded configuration wherein the invention is being gripped by auser's hand and can be used as a personal weapon.

FIG. 6 is a side view of a second embodiment of the present invention inthe unfolded configuration wherein the zipper closure runs along theinterior wall of the invention.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the exterior wall of the second embodiment ofthe present invention in the unfolded configuration.

FIG. 8 is an angled front view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention in the folded configuration.

FIG. 9 is a font view of the second embodiment of the present inventionpresent invention folded along the belt of a user.

FIG. 10 is an angled bottom view of the second embodiment of the presentinvention in the unfolded configuration wherein the invention is beinggripped by a user's hand and can be used as a personal weapon.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Turning to FIGS. 1-5, one embodiment of the coin purse is made generallyfrom two opposing walls connected together to form a pouch 30 by usingany means of attachment, including but not limited to, stitching fibers,weaving fibers, braiding fibers, riveting, gluing, welding, or any typeof fasteners, including hook and loop fasteners. The pouch is connectedto a grip 10 by a strip 20 which gives the overall coin purse a paddleshape where the pouch 30 is slightly wider than the width of the strip20, although such limitation is not necessary. In this embodiment, thepreferred material for the walls and the grip portion is leather, butthese portions of the device can also be manufactured using anysynthetic material or semi-synthetic material (e.g. plastics, rubbers,or fabric that has been woven or molded). The front wall of the pouch 30contains a retractable opening that runs longitudinally the length ofthe pouch and is operated by a zipper 40, although other forms ofclosure devices in the prior art could be used to operate the opening,including buttons, snap button closures, or hook and loop fasteners suchas VELCRO®. The pouch 30 allows a user to store coins or other weightedmaterial that are inserted through the zipper 40 in the openconfiguration.

As shown in further detail on FIG. 1, the front side of this embodimentalso contains a male half of a riveted snap fastener 50 attached to thegrip 10 and a female half of the snap fastener 60 attached to the topend of the pouch 30. Different types of snaps can be attached to thefront side of the coin purse, such as with a punch and die set specificto the type of rivet snaps used, sewing, or plying with special snappliers. It is contemplated that other forms of closure devices may alsobe used, such as a button or hook and loop fastener.

Turning to FIG. 3, the coin purse can be folded along at the strip 20allowing the corresponding male fastener 50 on the grip 10 to beconnected to the female fastener 60 on the pouch 30, such that the topedge of the pouch is substantially aligned with the bottom edge of thegrip portion.

Turning to FIG. 4, the coin purse can be attached to a belt 80 worn onor around a user by folding the strip 20 over the belt 80 and fasteningthe grip portion 10 to the pouch 30. In the pictured embodiment, thecoin purse is fastened around the belt 80 by using snap closure pieces50 and 60, although other closure/fastening mechanisms known in theprior art are contemplated.

As shown in FIG. 5, when the coin purse is unfolded, it creates apaddle-like structure that a user can grip at that handle and use themovement of their arm or wrist to project the pouch 30 at a person orobject. In the pictured embodiment, the snap closure of the deviceallows the device to be easily and quickly removed from the belt byundoing the snap closure. When the pouch is filled with coins or otherweighted material, it creates a force against the person or object whenmoved at sufficient speed towards the person or object and connects withthe person or object. The strip is generally flexible due to its abilityto be folded and thus create a “whip like” action of the pouch 30 by auser against a person or object. As such, the device makes an excellentself-defense weapon as well as a compact way to store coins or othermaterial on a belt for easy access by the user.

FIGS. 6-10 represent a second embodiment of the invention, which has aslightly different configuration, but functions the same as the firstembodiment. This embodiment also includes two opposing walls connectedtogether to form a pouch 120 by using any means of attachment, includingbut not limited to, stitching fibers, weaving fibers, braiding fibers,riveting, gluing, welding or any type of fasteners, including hook andloop fasteners. Unlike the prior embodiment, the grip portion 90 in thisembodiment includes an aperture forming an enclosed space between thepouch 120 and the grip 90 wherein the grip 90 and pouch 120 are nowconnected by flexible strips 100. Similar to the prior embodiment, thepreferred material for the walls and the grip portion is leather, butthese portions of the device can also be manufactured using anysynthetic material or semi-synthetic material (e.g. plastics, rubbers,or fabric that has been woven or molded). The front wall of the pouch120 contains a retractable opening that runs the width of the pouch andis operated by a zipper 140, although as discussed above, other forms ofclosure known in the prior art are contemplated.

As shown in further detail on FIG. 6, the front side of this embodimentalso contains two male snap fasteners 110 attached to the grip 90 andtwo female snap fasteners 130 attached to the bottom end of the pouch120. Although the embodiment includes two fasteners, the embodimentcontemplates the use of at least one fastener as well as other types ofsnaps and forms of closure devices known in the prior art.

Turning to FIG. 8, the coin purse can be folded along at the strips 100allowing the corresponding male fastener 110 on the grip 90 to beconnected to the female fastener 130 on the pouch 120, such that thebottom edge of the pouch is substantially aligned with the top edge ofthe grip portion.

Turning to FIG. 9, the second embodiment of the coin purse can also beattached to a belt 160 worn on or around a user by folding the strips100 over the belt 160 and fastening the grip portion 90 to the pouch120. In the pictured embodiment, the coin purse is fastened around thebelt 160 by using snap closure pieces 110 and 130, although, like theprior embodiment, other closure/fastening mechanisms known in the priorart could be used.

As detailed in FIG. 10, when the coin purse is unfolded, the apertureallows a user to slide his fingers around the grip 90 in order to createa secure hold on the device while also using the movement of their armor wrist to project the pouch 120 at a person or object. Like the firstembodiment, the snap closure of this embodiment also allows the deviceto be easily and quickly removed from the belt by undoing the snapclosure. Also, when the pouch is filled with coins or other weightedmaterial, it creates a force against the person or object when moved atsufficient speed towards the person or object and connects with theperson or object. The strips 100 are also substantially flexibleallowing a “whip like” action of the pouch 120 by a user against aperson or object. As such, this embodiment of the coin purse also makesan excellent self-defense weapon as well as a compact way to store coinsor other material on a belt for easy access by the user.

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of theinvention, reference has been made to the preferred embodimentsillustrated in the drawings, and specific language has been used todescribe these embodiments. However, this specific language intends nolimitation of the scope of the invention, and the invention should beconstrued to encompass all embodiments that would normally occur to oneof ordinary skill in the art. The particular implementations shown anddescribed herein are illustrative examples of the invention and are notintended to otherwise limit the scope of the invention in any way. Forthe sake of brevity, conventional aspects of the method (and componentsof the individual operating components of the method) may not bedescribed in detail. Furthermore, the connecting lines, or connectorsshown in the various figures presented are intended to representexemplary functional relationships and/or physical or logical couplingsbetween the various elements. It should be noted that many alternativeor additional functional relationships, physical connections or logicalconnections might be present in a practical device. Moreover, no item orcomponent is essential to the practice of the invention unless theelement is specifically described as “essential” or “critical”. Numerousmodifications and adaptations will be readily apparent to those skilledin this art without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

1. A coin purse comprising: a pair of opposing walls connected alongtheir perimeter to define an interior pouch portion with a top end and abottom end; a grip portion extending longitudinally from the bottom endof the pouch; wherein one wall has a retractable opening providingaccess to said pouch; and wherein the top end of the pouch is removablyattachable to the bottom end of the grip portion to form a closed andsecure loop.
 2. The coin purse of claim 1 wherein the opposing walls areconnected by stitching fibers, weaving fibers, braiding fibers,riveting, gluing, or welding.
 3. The coin purse of claim 1 wherein thematerial of the walls and grip portion are comprised of leather,synthetic materials, or semi-synthetic materials.
 4. The coin purse ofclaim 1 wherein the bottom end of the grip portion and the top end ofthe pouch are removably attached using at least one snap button.
 5. Thecoin purse of claim 1 wherein both of the opposing walls of the pouchhave a retractable opening providing access to said pouch.
 6. The coinpurse of claim 1 wherein the retractable opening extends from the centerof one of the walls along the length of the longitudinal axis to the topor bottom end of the pouch.
 7. The coin purse of claim 6 furthercomprising a zipper wherein the zipper operates the retractable opening.8. A coin purse comprising: a pair of opposing walls connected alongtheir perimeter to define an interior pouch portion with a top end and abottom end; a grip portion extending longitudinally from the bottom endof the pouch wherein an aperture exists between the bottom end of thepouch and the bottom end of the grip portion; wherein one wall has aretractable opening providing access to said pouch; and wherein the topend of the pouch is removably attachable to the bottom end of the gripportion to form a closed and secure loop.
 9. The coin purse of claim 8wherein the opposing walls are connected by stitching fibers, weavingfibers, braiding fibers, riveting, gluing, or welding.
 10. The coinpurse of claim 8 wherein the material of the walls and grip portion arecomprised of leather, synthetic materials, or semi-synthetic materials.11. The coin purse of claim 8 wherein the bottom end of the grip portionand the top end of the pouch are removably attached using at least onesnap button.
 12. The coin purse of claim 8 wherein both of the opposingwalls of the pouch have a retractable opening providing access to saidpouch.
 13. The coin purse of claim 8 further comprising a zipper whereinthe zipper operates the retractable opening.
 14. A coin pursecomprising: a pair of opposing walls connected along their perimeter todefine an interior pouch portion with a top end and a bottom end; a gripportion extending longitudinally from the pouch portion; wherein onewall has a retractable opening providing access to said pouch; whereinsaid pouch can safely and securely store and hold weighted materialtransforming the coin purse into a personal weapon when the grip portionis engaged to forcefully contact another object or person with saidweighted pouch portion; and wherein the top end of the pouch isremovably attachable to the bottom end of the grip portion to form aclosed and secure loop.
 15. The coin purse of claim 14 wherein the gripportion further comprises an aperture between the bottom end of thepouch and the bottom end of the grip portion
 16. The coin purse of claim15 wherein the aperture is of variable size to allow a person's fingersto pass through and tightly engage the grip portion.
 17. The coin purseof claim 14 wherein the opposing walls are connected by stitchingfibers, weaving fibers, braiding fibers, riveting, gluing, or welding.18. The coin purse of claim 14 wherein the bottom end of the gripportion and the top end of the pouch are removably attached using atleast one snap button.
 19. The coin purse of claim 14 wherein both ofthe opposing walls of the pouch have a retractable opening providingaccess to said pouch.
 20. The coin purse of claim 14 further comprisinga zipper wherein the zipper operates the retractable opening.